On World Health Day 2022, let us divert our attention to the plight of those who continue to live on the fringes of our “modern” society, homeless and alone in the 21st century.
Oh to have a little house! To own the hearth and stool and all, The heaped-up sods upon the fire, The pile of turf against the wall! To have a clock with weights and chains, And pendulum swinging up and down! A dresser filled with shining delph, Speckled and white and blue and brown! I could be busy all the day, Cleaning and sweeping hearth and floor, And fixing on their shelves again My white and blue and speckled store! I could be quiet there at night Beside the fire and by myself, Sure of a bed and loath to leave The ticking clock and the shining delph! Och! But I’m weary of mist and dark, And roads where there’s never a house nor bush, And tired I am of bog and road, And the crying wind and the lonesome hush! And I am praying to God on high, And I am praying Him night and day, For a little house – a house of my own – Out of the wind and the rain’s way. Pádraic Colum (1881 – 1972)
There are a number of reputed homeless charities working hard at alleviating homelessness and poverty in Ireland. Consider donating to a few of them:
- Focus Ireland (Donate here)
- Peter McVerry Trust (Donate here)
- Threshold Ireland (Donate here)
- Dublin Simon Community (Donate here)
- Cork Simon Community (Donate here)
- The Capuchin Day Centre (Donate here)
- Depaul Ireland (Donate here)
Best Loved Poems: Favourite Poems from the West of Ireland Edited by Thomas F. Walsh Published by Currach Press
